The operating system I currently use on my primary computer is Windows 95 OSR2. Furthermore, not only do I use Windows 95 extensively, but I prefer it to Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista.

Yes, I am aware that this puts me in a position not shared by many other people today. I wouldn't be surprised if the proportion of people still using Windows 95 on a regular basis is ½% or less. And, I am accustomed to getting strange or uncomplementary reactions from other people when they find out that I still do: "Are you insane?" or "Why the hell are you using Windows 95?!" are only typical. I can no longer count on most of the latest software being capable of running on this configuration. So, why do I still endorse a computer operating system more than ten years old?

First of all, a computer is a tool. It is a principal of mine that if a tool works well and satisfies my wants and needs, there is no reason to replace it; regardless of mere age. On that note, I have traditionally been the last using any given piece of computer software on occasions before: I used Windows 3.1x semi-regularly on my Gateway 2000 486 as late as mid-2003, when I had a practical need to turn to a newer computer for regular tasks and be capable of running 32-bit programs. Windows 95 is far more technologically sophisticated and viable than Windows 3.1x.

Second of all, for a variety of reasons I have a major aversion to Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher: I do not want to use it and I do not want it present in any form on any computer I own. With Windows 98, Microsoft needlessly integrated Internet Explorer 4.01 (or later 5.0) into features that were ostensibly parts of the operating system itself: The Explorer shell interface and Windows Help both display their contents in Internet Explorer windows complete with a browser-like throbber in the corner, with the browser difficult if not impossible to completely remove. This dubious practice has continued into all subsequent versions of Windows to date. By contrast, it is not difficult to completely remove or circumvent the preinstallation of Internet Explorer from Windows 95 OSR2, and the earliest versions (though less stable and less capable than OSR2) didn't include IE at all.

Windows 95 is reasonably fast in performance, and is not compromised by the arguably frivolous animation and eye candy features in Windows 98 and newer versions: Sliding or fading menus, gradient title bars, "flat" toolbars, and menus that annoyingly take on the 3D appearance of command buttons when moving the mouse over or selecting them but to name a few examples. There are no "activation" schemes, and the OS installed takes up well under 500MB.

Currently there is no hardware or software I need or desire to use that is not capable of running on Windows 95. I can run even Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird in a pinch. Most of the applications I have found that do require Windows 98 or higher, meanwhile, tend to be incidentally plagued by having slow performance, a poor interface design (such as with the newest versions of Windows Media Player and RealPlayer), and/or no compelling functionality not present in an earlier version. In any case, the APIs of Windows 95 OSR2 and Windows 98 are virtually identical, and there is no good reason for any software capable of running on one not to work on the other as well. With my browser and e-mail client, Office 97, WordPerfect 7, and a few graphic tools I can be as productive as I like with Windows 95.

While I freely concede that Windows NT 4.0, 2000, and XP are much more stable than Windows 95, I also maintain that Windows 95 OSR2 is the most stable DOS-based version of Windows to be released, moreso than Windows 98 and especially the buggy mess that was Windows ME. It is substantially more stable and handles system resources more efficiently than Windows 3.1x as well.

I prefer to have as much native compatibility as possible with DOS applications such as older games I own. While it is possible to run these from Windows 2000 or XP either natively or (as circumstances may very well require) through an emulator, I prefer to have the real thing.

Finally, Windows 95 has an intuitive user interface I prefer to the IE-integrated monstrosities of Windows 98 and subsequent versions. Windows 95's Explorer uses OS-native controls and menus, has all the most essential tools—such as file-delete and individual icon-view controls—on the toolbar, does not waste space with oversized toolbar controls or needless left-hand icon-and-caption panels, and doesn't contain unnecessary Internet Explorer tie-ins such as awkward "back" and "forward" file navigation or a "Favorites" menu. The Start menu automatically sorts folders and files alphabetically automatically, and defaults to a multi-column view instead of Windows 98's slow and inconvenient scroll arrows.

I don't expect my reasoning to be representative for everyone, of course, and I have sometimes been tempted to switch to a different version of Windows myself (specifically NT 4.0 or 2000) or even abandon Windows entirely a number of times. However, I have justifiable reasons for my decisions, and will continue using Windows 95 OSR2 as my primary OS for the forseeable future until I can no longer run a relatively up-to-date web browser or absolutely must use a piece of hardware or software not compatible with Windows 95.

REF: http://www.andrew-turnbull.net/tech/windows95.html

最近随着高考和国家大学四六级英语考试的来临,全国各地传出不少用高科技手段作弊的新闻.考试必然会有作弊,总有些人是想不劳而获的.因此就专门催生了一个地下产业——作弊专用设备.李涛今年29岁,从事这个行业已经七八年了,最近由于女友的缘故结束了自己的生意,准备双双去加拿大读书,于是才乐意接受采访.

入这行是个意外

李涛16岁那年参军入伍,两年义务兵结束之后回到老家石家庄工作.“最开始我跟家里要钱开了个网吧.后来跟合伙人合作不愉快就退股了.”结束了网吧的生意之后,李涛寻思着继续做点什么生意.

“由于从部队退下来的好多战友都在公安局或者保安公司工作,我也正好对这方面的事情比较熟.于是就在北京开了个店面,经营安防器材.”90年代末期中国的安防器材生意刚刚起步,市场还不成熟.“那个时候做安防器材生意可好做了,一根正规厂家的伸缩警棍进货价格70元,卖给单位或者个人能到250～300元.国内好多器材如头盔、荧光服装刚开始国产,厂家报价不透明,很多需要的单位对这个也不了解,经销商也少,所以利润特别高. ”李涛回忆起那个时候的情况来.

后来开始经营“考试装备”,是因为当时忽然有个老乡找到李涛,希望帮他领导考研究生入学考试.

“当时我那个老乡的领导面临评职称的事情,所以想考个研究生.可是那个人都40多岁了,平时又特忙.当然没有时间去看书备考.以前在部队我是侦察兵,而且又经营保安器材,我老乡让我想想办法.”那时候是2001年,用电子器材作弊在那个时候还是件不可思议的事情.

“我原来是听说过隐形耳机的,最早是外国警察实施秘密抓捕或者侦查的时候用的.后来港澳台的赌场有人利用这种东西出千作弊.当时我也只是听说有这么一种东西,你也知道2001年互联网还不发达,上网是找不到这种东西的.只能委托在南方的同行帮忙找.南方此类信息比北方多,好多先进的器材都是那边传过来的.“李涛找了很久,终于从香港一家公司买到这种当时被视为高科技的隐形耳机.

“我当时买的那个耳机是原创美国进口的东西,决不是现在那些山寨厂的质量.“据李涛描述,当时他购买的那个美国进口的无线隐蔽耳机是用硅胶做成,远比现在国内通用的塑料耳机戴起来舒服.而且音量也可以调节,即便是在很嘈杂的环境下一样听得很清楚.

“那是美国警察用的耳机,现在在国内也很少能看见.当时光买这个耳机就花了小一万块钱.耳机用一个铝的保护盒装着,除了耳机和天线之外,还有一套耳道清洁套件.总之是非常精巧的东西.”

购买到了作弊最关键的装备之后,李涛和他的老乡策划了一整套作弊方案.

“除了耳机之外,作弊者还得带一个针孔摄像头进考场.然后用微波传输将摄像头拍下来的考题传出来.那个时候的针孔摄像头虽然很小,但是微波视频传输装置体积很大.光发射器就有一个手机那么大,还得用一个自制的电池组才能带动.幸好考研是冬天,要是夏天考试只怕还塞不下这些设备.我坐在考场外面的一辆面包车里,车里有台电脑可以直接接收摄像头传过来的图像,并且录下来.然后开车回距离考场1公里外的宾馆包间.”宾馆里边有两个高价请回来的在校研究生等着,李涛把试卷录下来之后打印出来,分别给那两个研究生做.开考大约1个半小时之后,答案就做完了.李涛拿起电话把答案读给里边的“领导”听.

这套作弊的程序后来成为用电子设备作弊的标准程序,可以说李涛等人为行业制定了标准.

“当年没人用电子作弊手段,所以我们能用电话传答案,现在有了电子狗一类的对抗手段,一般不敢用手机接听了.”

那次作弊行动光购买设备就花了5万元.“那时候电子设备比较贵,车里用的笔记本电脑当时售价就2万块.其他杂七杂八加起来是一笔不小的数目.”李涛介绍道.

市场广阔

完成了这次行动之后李涛和他的老乡得到了那个领导3万元的酬劳,“那时候3万不是个小数目,当年北京的房价才2000多一平米啊.”李涛和他老乡见这个事情有商机,就决定一起投资专门经营“考试器材”.为了这个事情他们专门到了深圳、东莞一带考察.

“国内有些厂家也开始做这类的东西了,虽然没有美国的精巧,但是成本很低.我们批量进货一个,最便宜的磁共振耳机才几块钱一个,转手就能卖好几百.”

当时全国大学都在扩招,河北廊坊建起了一个大学城.

“一开始我们也不知道怎么卖好,但是想只要学生多的地方肯定有客户.所以我们就雇了几个大学城的学生,专门在学校宿舍推这个东西.大学生主要用来应付四六级考试或者期末考试,每年寒暑假前,这个东西就卖得很好,后来网络发达了,我们也在网上做,慢慢全国都有我们的代理了.”

李涛在学校里边发展了很多代理,都是在校学生,因为一个耳机当时有上百倍的利润,所以只要分账够多,而且市场前景“广阔”,很多在校大学生都乐意经营这个生意.

“我有一个代理特别能干,在校4年赚了几十万,毕业就买房了.那个时候利润大,现在不同了,一个耳机也许只能赚几十块钱,竞争太激烈!”

从2005年起,教育部门慢慢注意到电子作弊这类事情.开始在高考等国家级考试中使用电子侦查设备,防止作弊.

“其实我们的技术一直在进步.”李涛不无自豪地说,“教育部门使用电子狗之前,我们已经研究过这类东西的特点了.电子狗是一种电子侦查设备,可以探测附近发出的电磁波信号.为了对抗这个东西,首先我们避免使用手机这种既发射信号又接收信号的接收器.全部改用对讲机.因为对讲机只要不通话,就不会有电磁波信号发出,当年的电子狗无法侦查到对讲机的存在.后来出了一种专门侦查无线耳机的电子狗,可是这种东西作用距离有限.而且成本比较高.不可能每个教室的监考老师都配备这种东西.所以我们在耳机上加了一个开关,可以藏在考生的袖口处.看见巡查老师进入教室,可以关闭耳机.这样新的电子狗也侦查不到了.”

除了改良现有的无线耳机技术之外,还有很多新的产品诞生.

“无线耳机的坏处是接收答案时间太长,需要有人慢慢念.没听清或者漏掉答案的可能性很高.而且外面负责念答案的人长时间打开对讲机说话,很容易被无线电侦察车定位.所以现在市场上有了作弊手表.作弊手表能接收无线传来的答案,能存储和显示.考生可以很方便地反复翻查答案.而且现在最新的手表都有水银开关,只要晃一下手臂显示的答案就会变回时间,避免被监考老师看见.发射答案也是一瞬间的事情,只要几秒钟就能把答案传完,所以发射的人也不容易被追踪到.除了手表之外,类似原理的作弊器材还能伪装成铅笔盒、橡皮、尺子、圆珠笔.这是近年来最新的作弊科技.”不是李涛说,都不敢相信这种007电影中的科技现在也走入寻常百姓家了.

到底现在有多少人买这些东西,李涛虽然不掌握具体数字,但据他了解,东北、山东、河南等地区比较猖獗.

“东北有个地级市,去年高考总共2000多考生,光从我这里就走了200多套器材.现在考试打开耳机,经常串线听见别人念答案.所以很多人考试的时候都得约定一套更换频率的方法,倒霉的时候可能换几次都听见别人在说话.”

“那难道没人用双跳频数字对讲机一类的装备吗?这不就可以避免串线了?”对于这种疑问,李涛解释说,现在大部分考生对于这些东西都不了解,他们买这些装备就图个便宜.“都是在网上反复比较价钱才买.至于你的装备先进、能实现什么功能之类不是作弊的人考虑的问题.他们既不懂无线电,也不了解这些装备的差价背后可能意味着做工和质量的巨大差距.早年作弊耳机也好,作弊手表也好,都是正规的电子器材厂家生产的,虽然也是三无产品,但是起码还有个质量保证.这几年竞争太激烈,这个东西也没啥技术难度,很多人自己买电子零件临时租个房子雇两个人也能生产.所以设备质量越来越差,可靠性越来越低.比如现在的无线耳机次品率起码能到3成以上,倒霉起来一半都是坏的.我们发货之前必须一个个试试,否则根本没法做.还有很多进了耳朵断成两半挖不出来,也有考试中途坏掉的.但是没办法,客户就图便宜.厂家做得再垃圾,只要售价低一样卖得好.”

李涛展示了他早期的产品和现在的产品,果然质量下降得很厉害,这是一个典型的劣币驱逐良币的案例.

道高一尺魔高一丈

“不过也还是有人追求好东西的,比如有一次有个比较懂行的人要求好东西.我给他做了定向天线的解决方案,他在考场内使用作弊手表,场外用的发射器是一个经过改装的定向天线,采取了低旁瓣技术,电子噪音很小.这种技术的好处是天线发射数据的时候只指向考场内,除非电子侦察车正好在天线和考生之间,不然无法侦查到有信号发射出来,而且传输距离远,内容清晰.发射的内容经过数字加密,即便是被截获短时间内也难以破解.为了掩饰行踪,我们还特意把频率设成接近GSM手机的频段,这样即便是被电子侦察到,也可能会误以为是手机信号被过滤掉.当然用这个技术做事成本是很高的,大部分考生既没有这个实力,也不会知道世上还有这种东西.这相当于90年代初西方军队的电子对抗水平了.”

“教育部门不可能比我们先进,因为我们永远是主动的.你今年屏蔽干扰了一个电子频段不要紧,明年我改个频段就是了.毕竟你不可能全频段干扰所有的电子信号.你今年发现我们的一个器材,明年改装一下又能推出一个新的产品,比如现在耳道式隐蔽耳机已经不新鲜了,可是有厂家做出了口含式的耳机.这种耳机利用人口腔和耳道之间的导管传声,隐蔽性更强.而且不可能放进耳朵里边出不来,今年刚推出就很受欢迎.现在还有款更新的设备.直接贴在耳朵后边的头发里边,可以利用耳骨传声,收听更清晰.用头发挡住也很难发现.你今年发现了手表作弊,明年我们就改用橡皮,后年用尺子.甚至直接嵌在衣服里边也很容易做到.现在电子技术标准化通用化了,只要有创意,随便哪个作坊都能研制出新的玩法.教育部门怎么跟得上这个节奏呢?”

设备出口

“这两年除了国内以外,我们的设备都出口了.”李涛笑着说.

“以前有些学生跟我买过东西,毕业之后出国念书.但还是改不了作弊的习惯,于是继续跟我定东西在国外用,除了自己用之外还顺便卖给同学用.所以我现在每年也有1000件左右的出口.”

“据说老外拿到我的产品试用之后,都会竖起大拇指说:OK,OK,中国的科技太神奇了!”听了这番话我不知道是高兴好还是生气好,想不到我国的高科技电子产品里边居然有作弊器材这一项.不知道这算不算民族工业的进步?

“不过干了这么多年,我也累了.现在这行竞争太激烈,而且越来越危险.其实近三年来我就只做熟客的生意,陌生人的单子绝对不接.眼看着几个同行都进去了,我也有点害怕.毕竟自己快30岁的人了,也想好好学点东西干回正行.我下周就要去加拿大,在那边报了一个心理学的文凭来念.考虑也许心理咨询师这个行业以后会有发展吧.”

“我不会用作弊的手段给自己拿个中国文凭的,毕竟作弊拿来的文凭我自己觉得心虚,而且干了这么多年这个对国内的教育有点绝望.感觉还是出国能学点真本事.”

虽然李涛可以说是国内畸形应试教育的既得利益者,可是从他的言谈中可以听出他并不喜欢自己的行业.如果不是朋友介绍,他绝对不会承认自己在经营这方面的东西.甚至李涛的女朋友也只知道李涛是经营安防器材的.也许在他的内心也知道——作弊可耻.

文/《新世纪周刊》

　　有人照字面译成：The full pot of water makes no sound; the half-empty pot of water is noisy.

　　老外听后，也许会感到困惑。他们有自己的说法：
　　A little knowledge (or learning) can be (or is) dangerous.（一知半解很危险）

　　或者说：
　　Still water runs deep.（静水深不可测）

　　也可以说：
　　He who knows the most says the least.（懂得越多的人，反而说得越少。）

　　至于“大智若愚”，通常可以这么说：
　　A truly wise person does not show off his (her) ability.（真正聪明的人，是不会显要自己的能力）

　　·水落石出

　　有人照字直译为：As the water level sinks,the stones are exposed.

　　这样说，恐怕老外还是听不懂。他们的说法是：
　　All secrets may eventually come to light. (所有祕密最后总会曝光。)

　　也可以说：
　　Eventually, every secret will be disclosed.

　　·这山望到那山高

　　有人译成：The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.（意思是：墙那边的苹果最甜）

　　当然，如要译成：
　　If you stand on a mountain, you feel the distant mountain seems higher than yours. 老外也勉强能接受。

 
　　而他们的最习惯说法是：
　　The grass always looks greener on the other side.（另一边的草，看来总是绿些。）

　　·烈火炼真金，患难见真情

　　有人译成：Fire is the test of gold；adversity is the test of friendship.

　　这句译文，虽然很好，老外也能了解，但是他们还有另外的说法：
　　Liquor brings out a person's true color.（烈酒能显示一个人真正的特色）

　　或者说：
　　Wine reveals a person's true heart.
　　虽然老外不用“烈火炼真金”的比喻，但有“路遥知马力”的说法：
　　By a long road, we know a horse's strength；at times of difficulty, we discover a friend's true character.

　　·雷声大，雨点小

　　有人译为：
　　The thunder roars loudly, but little rain falls. 或者说：All we hear is thunder, but no rain falls.

　　虽然这样直译比较容易理解，但是老外的说法是这样的：
　　Actions speak louder than words. (行动胜于言谈)
　　或All we hear is words, but there is no action. （只动嘴不动手）
　　或Actions and words should go hand in hand. (言行必须一致)

　　另外，还有英语里还有这样的说法：
　　An empty barrel makes biggest sound.（空洞的话说得太多了。）

　　·人不可貌相，海水不可斗量

　　有人译为：
　　A man can not be known by his look, nor can the ocean be measured by a dipper.
　　这样的译法只是直译，如果能够稍加修改，老外就能了解：
　　A man can not be judged by his appearance, nor can the water in the sea be measured by a bucket.

　　不过，老外通常的说法是这样的：
　　We can not judge a person by appearance only. 或 You can not judge a book by its cover.
　　(意思是：一本书的好坏取决于它的内容，而不是它的封面装帧的漂亮与否。)

·口蜜腹剑，笑里藏刀

　　有人译为 His mouth is honey; his heart is a sword.

　　外国人听了会对这样的比喻摸不着头脑，如果要形容某人“口蜜腹剑，笑里藏刀”，我们可以说 with honey on one's lip and murder in one's heart, 或者 honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted.也可以更直接的译成He is an evil man who has a mouth that praises and a hand that kills.

　　·少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲

　　有人译成 If you neglect study when you are young, what may happen to your old age?

　　这句问句会把老外问得云里雾里，因为他们沒有“学而优则仕”的思想，也不认为功课差，将来就会伤悲。他们劝告子女经常说的是Studying / working hard can lead you to a brighter / more promising future. (努力用功会带给你光明的前程。)

　　当然也可以对年轻人说：
　　Study hard when you are young. It will pay off when you get older. (年轻时好好努力，到老的时就会觉得学有所值。)

　　·学如行舟，不进则退

　　如果直译成：
　　Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back.

　　老外听后，也许会感到一头雾水。这样修改一下，表达可以清晰一些：
　　Learning seems like rowing upstream(逆流); if one does not advance, one will fall back. Learning is like rowing against the current(激流), if one does not advance, one will retreat.

　　更直接的说法是：
　　If you don't make progress, you will fall behind.

　　·一日为师，终身为父

　　有这样的译法：
　　He who teaches me for one day is my father for life.
　　If you are my teacher for even one day, you will be my teacher (mentor) all my life.
　　He who teaches me may be considered my father-figure for life.

　　这几种译法意思都是“老师即使对我只有一天的教诲，也会让我一生都受用不尽。”外国人也有他们表达师生关系的谚语，如：
　　Teach others to fish and they will fish for a lifetime.(授人以鱼，不如授人以渔)
　　Give a man fish, he will have a meal; teach him to fish, he will have food all his life.

　　·忠言逆耳，良药苦口

　　有人译成
　　Faithful words are contrary to the ears; good medicine tastes bitter to the mouth.

　　也有人反译为：
　　Bitter words are medicine; sweet words bring illness.
　　Good advice often jars on the ears; bitter pills have good effects.

　　这些说法，老外也会“一知半解”，不如直接一点说成：
　　Honest advice may be distasteful to the recipient.
　　Honest advice is hard to accept.
　　Truth is a hard pill to swallow.

　　更简单的说就是：
　　Truth hurts.

　　·近墨者黑，近朱者赤

　　有人直译为：
　　one who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black.(vermilion 是朱砂或鲜红色的意思)

　　也有人译成：
　　When you touch black, you become black; when you touch red, you become red.
　　这种说法，恐怕老外一时无法理解真正含意。不过他们倒有这么说：
　　One takes the behavior of one's company. (一个人的行为，往往受到朋友的影响。) 或
　　One takes on the attributes of one's associates. (attributes 复数時是指品质、特性；associates 指朋友、同事)

　　简单的说，就是：
　　Watch the company you keep!(小心交朋友！)

　　或者也可以说成:
　　As he who lies with dogs will ride with fleas, how could your son learn anything good by mixing with those people? (你儿子跟那些人混在一起,能学出个好来?)

From : Hillary Clinton。

Sent : Thu 6/05/08 1:57 AM。

Subject: I want you to know。

I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone w

ho has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hardfought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

I made you and everyone who supported me a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton